Are there any local connections to Haiti out there? Relatives? Friends? Non-profit efforts?

Post your story here, or contact Herald editor Mark W. Olson at (952) 345-6574 or [email protected].

For an idea of the devastation, click here: www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html

The Chaska Police Department is launching a new crime mapping service at CrimeReports.com.

According to the latest police news letter, to view a map of where Chaska Police Department activity is occurring, visit www.crimereports.com, enter an address, and choose the crimes you'd like mapped.

Here's more from the release:

According to the Chaska Police Department, a local resident received a call from someone claiming they were from Crystal Canyon Water and working with the city of Chaska to test water quality.

With a new infant in the home, “the people were receptive” to the call, said Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight. “Who’s not worried about water safety,” he said.

After arriving at the home yesterday, the representative tested the Chaska home’s water and said it was unsafe, then attempted to sell them a water filtration system, Knight said.

From Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day in 2008, there were 205 fires in Minnesota that caused almost $7 million in property damage as well as injuries to nine firefighters and six civilians.

That’s close to one fire every hour for nine days — a disturbing statistic attributable to the fact that three of our oldest holiday traditions are among the top causes of residential fires, according to a Minnesota Department of Public Safety press release.

The Better Business Bureau recently sent this advice for holiday charity:

As the holidays approach, many people are getting ready to donate to their favorite cause or charity. Historically, individual donations have accounted for well over 80 percent of the total amount given to charity. However, the recession has had an effect on the amount Americans have been able to give.

According to the GivingUSA Foundation, charitable donations in 2008 amounted to $307.65 billion, down 2 percent from 2007.

With snowfall predicted across Minnesota, the Departments of Public Safety (DPS) and Transportation (MnDOT) urge motorists to adapt driving skills to winter road conditions and be buckled up, patient and attentive behind the wheel.

During 2006–2008 in Minnesota, officers reported snowy or icy road conditions in more than 45,000 crashes that resulted in 168 traffic deaths and 14,540 injuries.

Roberto Vazquez-Garcia, 34, of Henderson, was arrested and charged with a first-degree drug sales crime, according to a press release from Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson.

Pertaining to the Tiger Woods dust-up, the latest Chaska Police 411 newsletter included a good step-by-step of what’s needed if a Minnesota driver is in an accident:

Recently we learned that Tiger Woods was involved in a car accident, and a fair amount of news coverage was devoted to questions concerning what is a driver required – by law – to report to the police. In Minnesota the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident is required to:

An investigation into the fatal June 10, 2009 Waconia Farm Supply explosion that killed Ryan Samuelson, 18, of Cologne has been completed, according to a press release from Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson and Waconia Fire Chief Randy Sorensen.

“The investigation revealed no statutes were violated as a result of this tragic event” stated Olson, in a press release.

Patrick Norman RieckJohn Christian Zastrow Patrick Norman Rieck, 34, of Minneapolis (formerly of Chanhassen), and John Christian Zastrow, 33, also of Minneapolis, have been arrested and charged for felony level drug crimes, according to a Carver County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The arrests were made by the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force and Scott and Carver County Sheriff’s Office deputies.